What you need to know about Supplements. What is a Supplement? Vitamins Minerals Herbs or other botanicals Amino acids Phytonutrients Other.

What you need to know about

Supplements

What is a Supplement? Vitamins Minerals Herbs or other botanicals Amino acids Phytonutrients Other substances found in the

human diet, such as enzymes

Benefits Correct deficiencies Adds necessary nutrients into a poor or restricted diet Simple and easy Decreased absorption as you age Increased needs

Drawbacks Regulated as a food product Expensive Potentially ineffective Side effects Potentially dangerous

Common Supplements Multi-vitamin Omega-3 Fatty Acid Calcium Vitamin D Iron Vitamin C B Vitamins Meal replacements

Multivitamins More than 1/3 of Americans take multivitamins “Insurance” Not typically harmful

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Most people do not get enough Omega-3 from their diet

2 Servings of fatty fish per week Decreases risk of heart disease Lowers Triglyceride Reduces inflammation

Calcium Should be taken in cases of

deficiency and insufficient diet Three servings of low-fat dairy

a day Not just milk products

Vitamin D

You’re probably not getting enough Essential for calcium absorption Essential for proper immune function Essential for Bone health

Iron Iron deficiency Increased iron needs Decreased iron intake Blood loss

Vitamin C Supplementation is very

rarely necessary Aids in Immune function Used for wound healing Prevents scurvy Not proven to prevent colds Get it from your foods

B Vitamins Most diets are plentiful in the B vitamins. Most people do not need supplementation Certain drugs decrease absorption Pregnant women need extra folate The elderly are at risk

Less absorption of B12

Meal Replacements

Powdered and liquid products Should be used in conjunction

with whole food Necessary in certain diseases

where solid food is not tolerated well

Who really needs Supplements ?

Pregnant women Nursing mothers Strict vegetarians People with food allergies or intolerances Senior citizens Those with cancer, kidney disease, bone disease, and cardiovascular

disease

Be an Informed Consumer

Research Use reputable companies Watch for false claims Check expiration dates Consult your physician

Always try whole foods first! THERE IS NO BETTER SOURCE OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS THAN

THE FOODS THEY ORIGINATE FROM!!!!